Frankfurt: Pro-Palestine demonstration on the anniversary of the terrorist attack!

Frankfurt: Pro-Palestine demonstration on the anniversary of the terrorist attack!

A pro-Palestinian demonstration took place in Frankfurt on October 7, 2023, which was able to take place due to a court order, despite significant controversy and a previous blockade by the city. Over 1,000 people, many of them families, marched through the city center with Palestinian flags, demanding an immediate ceasefire while loudly chanting slogans criticizing Israel.

Police had thoroughly prepared for the protest after courts lifted the city's ban on the demonstration. Participants showed pictures of murdered children on posters and called for Israel to be branded a “child murderer.” Slogans such as “Free Palestine” and “Gaza is in distress” were omnipresent, although the context on this particular day was particularly sensitive due to the anniversary of the terrorist attack on Israel.

Strong police presence and peaceful course

The demonstrators gathered at the Roßmarkt despite slight resistance from a few counter-demonstrators who wanted to express their displeasure with Israeli flags. They had previously taken part in a memorial event for the victims of the attack. The police reported around 1,400 participants who behaved peacefully, while the organizers spoke of more than 2,000 participants. Despite the tense atmosphere, the atmosphere remained largely non-violent, although some incidents were reported, such as the arrest of a protester who threw eggs at participants.

The demonstration took place in a tense political environment, which also sparked criticism from the Hesse state government. The Hessian Interior Minister Roman Poseck (CDU) expressed his regret about the courts' decision, while the FDP in the state parliament described the demonstration as a provocation. “The registration of a pro-Palestine demonstration for October 7th can only be understood as a provocation,” the group said.

The city center was heavily monitored by police, who confiscated several posters and flags deemed criminal. The authorities were ready to intervene immediately if crimes were committed. In general, however, the police reported that the event was largely peaceful, although it was very loud and emotional.

The legal situation surrounding this meeting was complex. Before the demonstration, the city had tried to ban it, considering October 7 a particularly sensitive day. A court case followed in which the city challenged the administrative court's decision, which could not uphold the ban. The judges were unable to provide sufficient evidence that the gathering posed a concrete threat to public safety.

The events in Frankfurt reflect deeper social divisions and provoke the debate about freedom of expression and the limits of protests in sensitive contexts. Participants emphasized their message, while critics accused the demonstration of disrespecting the victims of the attack.

For more information, see the current reporting on www.fnp.de.